Generative AI Policy

P-ISSN: 3117-8065 | E-ISSN: 3117-8073

Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy

The ICME Journal of Laboratory Medicine recognizes the continuing development and increasing use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and large language models (LLMs) in scientific writing, laboratory data analysis, and scholarly research workflows. ICME Journal of Laboratory Medicine supports the responsible, transparent, and accountable use of these technologies while maintaining standards of originality, accuracy, scientific validity, confidentiality, and editorial integrity.

This policy defines expectations for authors, peer reviewers, and editors. It is informed by the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) Core Practices, recommendations issued by the World Association of Medical Editors (WAME), and the transparency principles reflected in the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) criteria.

Permitted Use of AI Tools

AI tools may be used for supportive tasks during manuscript preparation, provided that human authors retain intellectual control, verify all outputs, and disclose substantive use where required:

Language refinement, grammatical correction, and improvement of readability.

Translation assistance, provided that authors verify accuracy and preservation of intended clinical meaning.

Technical formatting and reference organization, provided every citation is verified against primary literature.

Coding or statistical data processing assistance, provided authors validate code, raw lab data, and outputs.

Prohibited Uses of AI

Using AI to fabricate or replace the authors' intellectual responsibility for lab hypotheses, methods, primary data, or diagnostic conclusions.

Creating or modifying microscopic, histopathological, or electrophoretic gel images deceptively without explicit disclosure.

Submitting fabricated, hallucinated, inaccurate, or unverified references, assay values, or factual claims.

Presenting AI-generated material as verified original diagnostic scholarship without human review and validation.

Mandatory AI Disclosure Requirements

Authors must disclose substantive use of generative AI tools in the Methods section, Acknowledgments, or a dedicated declaration, as appropriate. The disclosure should identify the tool name, version where available, developer or provider, purpose, and extent of use:

"Declaration of Generative AI Assistance: During the preparation of this manuscript, the author(s) used [Tool Name, Version, Provider] for [describe purpose and extent of use]. The author(s) reviewed, verified, and edited the resulting material and accept full responsibility for the accuracy, originality, citations, and integrity of the submitted manuscript."

AI Tools Cannot Qualify for Authorship

AI systems, chatbots, and large language models cannot be listed as authors or coauthors. Authorship requires identifiable human contributions, approval of submitted and final versions, appropriate disclosure of competing interests, and accountability for the accuracy and integrity of the work. AI systems cannot fulfill these responsibilities.

Human Author Responsibility

Human authors remain responsible for all submitted content, including the accuracy of data and factual claims, validity of analyses, originality of the manuscript, reliability of citations where applicable, and integrity of AI-assisted material. The use of an AI tool does not transfer or reduce an author's scholarly, ethical, or professional responsibilities.

Peer Review & Confidentiality

Peer reviewers and editors must not upload unpublished manuscripts, review reports, author information, or other confidential material to public or unauthorized AI tools. Any permitted use of technology must comply with journal confidentiality, information-security, data-protection, and disclosure requirements.

Editorial Enforcement

Where undisclosed, misleading, or inappropriate AI use is suspected, ICME Journal of Laboratory Medicine may take proportionate action after assessing available evidence:

Clarification Request Mandatory Revision or Disclosure Manuscript Rejection Where Warranted Post-Publication Correction or Retraction

Policy Review & Alignment

The ICME Journal of Laboratory Medicine reviews this policy periodically and updates it when necessary to reflect developments in generative AI technology, scholarly publishing practice, relevant COPE Core Practices, WAME recommendations, and DOAJ transparency principles.